Sr. Automation Engineer/ Area Lead

Cognizant; Pierre (SD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead to drive automation delivery for a defined area, focusing on DeltaV systems within Life Sciences manufacturing. You will lead a small team, produce design and testing artifacts, and coordinate across client and project teams in a GMP setting.

You will gather requirements, provide technical direction for software config, testing, commissioning, and startup activities, and interface with client leadership to ensure project success.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of Life Sciences automation experience with DeltaV in manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing Functional and Detailed Design Specifications and other lifecycle docs.
• Experience leading small automation engineering teams and coordinating deliverables.
• Understanding of GMP-regulated environments and automation lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation delivery activities for a defined process area with a technical leadership role.
• Develop automation design deliverables including specs, designs, testing docs, and commissioning support.
• Gather requirements and develop technical solutions; provide configuration guidance and reviews.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and resolve issues through testing, commissioning, and startup.

Skills

Automation leadership

DeltaV experience

GMP compliance

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

DeltaV software

Job description

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.

Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead

About the role

As a Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead, you will make an impact by leading automation delivery activities for a defined process area supporting DeltaV automation projects within manufacturing facilities. You will be a valued member of the automation delivery team and work collaboratively with client engineering, operations, validation, and project teams.

In this role, you will:

• Lead automation delivery activities for a defined process area, providing technical leadership to a small team of automation engineers.
• Develop automation design deliverables, including Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, software design documentation, testing documentation, and commissioning support packages.
• Gather requirements and develop technical solutions, providing configuration guidance and leading design reviews.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and resolve technical issues through testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Represent Cognizant with client leadership, making sound technical decisions to drive successful project execution within a GMP-regulated environment.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 6+ years of Life Sciences automation experience, with strong hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV systems in Life Sciences manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing and developing Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, and other automation lifecycle documentation.
• Experience leading small automation engineering teams and coordinating technical deliverables, including providing technical direction for software configuration, testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Understanding of GMP-regulated environments and validation expectations, along with strong knowledge of automation project lifecycles from design through deployment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

These will help you stand out

• Experience supporting batch process automation, process control systems, and manufacturing operations.
• Strong communication, planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to identify risks, resolve technical issues, and maintain schedule alignment across project teams.
• Willingness to work onsite in Indianapolis and interface directly with stakeholders as needed.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until September 11, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $90,000- $130,000 USD depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.